The Madras High Court on Monday set aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to the families of those who lost their lives in the Karur stampede. The court delivered a verdict while disposing of a batch of public interest litigations (PILs) that challenged the compassionate appointments. The Bench said the Karur stampede case remains under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and that the Supreme Court is monitoring the probe. In view of the ongoing investigation, the court decided not to make any observations on the merits of the case.

The Bench recalled that it had earlier allowed the Tamil Nadu government to conduct the appointment ceremony under certain conditions. It had directed that the appointments would remain temporary until the court delivered its final decision. It also stated that the matter would be decided before the beneficiaries received their first month's salary. The court noted that it had now fulfilled that undertaking through its latest judgment.

During the hearing, the court also considered whether the PILs filed against the appointments were legally maintainable. Referring to earlier judgments of the Supreme Court, the Bench observed that courts have the authority to grant appropriate relief in deserving cases. The court examined the legal issues surrounding compassionate appointments before delivering its decision.

Sources indicated that the TVK government is likely to challenge the High Court's verdict before the Supreme Court. The State government defended its decision during the hearing and argued that the appointments followed all established rules governing compassionate employment.

The government submitted that compassionate appointments are granted under existing guidelines. It said every beneficiary must meet eligibility requirements, including age and educational qualifications. It also maintained that the appointments made for the Karur stampede victims' families complied fully with those rules. The State questioned the legal basis for challenging the appointments.

The High Court, however, expressed concern over the wider impact of granting government jobs in such cases. The Bench observed that approving these appointments could lead to similar demands from families affected by other tragedies. It referred to accidents involving government buses and recurring industrial disasters such as firecracker factory explosions in Sivakasi. The court said such situations could create expectations for similar government employment in future cases.

The Bench also highlighted the large number of candidates waiting for recruitment through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). It noted that thousands of eligible candidates continue to await appointments through the regular recruitment process. The court further observed that the government had exempted the Karur appointments from the standard approval procedure that usually applies to the regularisation of compassionate appointments.

The High Court suggested that other forms of rehabilitation may serve affected families more effectively. It observed that providing skill development training and livelihood assistance could offer a more sustainable solution than government employment. The Bench stressed that long-term rehabilitation measures could help families rebuild their lives without affecting the regular recruitment process.

The court also rejected the State government's argument that the posts offered were merely "ordinary jobs." The Bench observed that no government post can be considered ordinary. It said every government job provides livelihood and security to a family and therefore carries significant value.

The appointments formed part of a rehabilitation package announced by the Vijay-led government for the families of the 41 people who died in the September 2025 Karur stampede during a TVK election rally. Under the package, one eligible member from each affected family received an offer of government employment on compassionate grounds.

On July 10, Vijay visited Karur for the first time after assuming office as Chief Minister. During the visit, he handed over government appointment orders to 32 members of the victims' families. The appointments formed a key part of the rehabilitation package announced by the government after the tragedy.

The Chief Minister also met the bereaved families at the District Collectorate before addressing a public gathering in the district. The meeting witnessed several emotional moments as he interacted with relatives of those who lost their lives in the stampede.

The ceremony turned emotional when Vijay struggled to control his emotions while distributing the appointment letters. Dressed entirely in black, the actor-turned-politician consoled grieving family members and described the tragedy as an "unhealed wound" that continued to weigh heavily on him.

Visuals from the event showed Vijay embracing several members of the victims' families. He often lowered his head in silence before handing over the appointment orders. The ceremony reflected the emotional impact of the Karur stampede on the families and the Chief Minister, even as the legal validity of the government's rehabilitation measure has now been set aside by the Madras High Court.